Edmen Shahbazyan
The Golden Boy
USA
Takes decision in Atlanta
Shahbazyan defeated Andre Petroski via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Atlanta.
ANALYSIS
It's impossible to guess what you are going to get from Shahbazyan on a fight-to-fight basis, but he appeared to make multiple positive gains in this one. He landed the much bigger strikes, as expected, highlighted by a Round 3 liver shot which dropped Petroski. He allowed two takedowns, but got right back to his feet immediately both times. Most importantly, he displayed improved cardio. Part of that was the result of Petroski not pushing the pace, but Edmen didn't tire himself with reckless movements. Shahbazyan has zero history of defeating better competition, and that seems like to continue moving forward, but he's quietly won three of four dating back to March 2024.
It's impossible to guess what you are going to get from Shahbazyan on a fight-to-fight basis, but he appeared to make multiple positive gains in this one. He landed the much bigger strikes, as expected, highlighted by a Round 3 liver shot which dropped Petroski. He allowed two takedowns, but got right back to his feet immediately both times. Most importantly, he displayed improved cardio. Part of that was the result of Petroski not pushing the pace, but Edmen didn't tire himself with reckless movements. Shahbazyan has zero history of defeating better competition, and that seems like to continue moving forward, but he's quietly won three of four dating back to March 2024.
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Petroski up next
Shahbazyan is scheduled to compete against Andre Petroski in a middleweight fight at UFC Atlanta on June 14, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Shahbazyan began his 2025 by redeeming himself from a crushing submission loss to Gerald Meerschaert with a first-round TKO win over Dylan Budka. Shahbazyan's next opponent, Petroski, is on a three-fight win streak.
Shahbazyan began his 2025 by redeeming himself from a crushing submission loss to Gerald Meerschaert with a first-round TKO win over Dylan Budka. Shahbazyan's next opponent, Petroski, is on a three-fight win streak.
Earns much-needed win
Shahbazyan defeated Dylan Budka via TKO (punches) at 1:35 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Shahbazyan is among the least consistent competitors in the sport, but he has legitimate talent and he's going to blow past fringe-roster fighters such as Budka all day long. His power is a real difference-maker, and Budka has durability issues. All it took was one huge right hand to drop the latter and close the show. It would also go on to earn him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. The strong effort here aside, Edmen is just 3-5 in his past eight bouts dating back to August 2020. There's just zero consistency, and it's hard to believe it's going to suddenly materialize at age 27.
Shahbazyan is among the least consistent competitors in the sport, but he has legitimate talent and he's going to blow past fringe-roster fighters such as Budka all day long. His power is a real difference-maker, and Budka has durability issues. All it took was one huge right hand to drop the latter and close the show. It would also go on to earn him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. The strong effort here aside, Edmen is just 3-5 in his past eight bouts dating back to August 2020. There's just zero consistency, and it's hard to believe it's going to suddenly materialize at age 27.
Fighting Budka in February
Shahbazyan will fight Dylan Budka at UFC Vegas 102 on Feb. 15, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Shahbazyan dropped his last fight against Gerald Meerschaert in August, giving him a 2-5 record since 2020. Despite his poor momentum, the 27-year-old Shahbazyan will have a chance to turn things around against a less-experienced Budka, who is still searching for his first win in the UFC.
Shahbazyan dropped his last fight against Gerald Meerschaert in August, giving him a 2-5 record since 2020. Despite his poor momentum, the 27-year-old Shahbazyan will have a chance to turn things around against a less-experienced Budka, who is still searching for his first win in the UFC.
Crushing defeat in Vegas
Shahbazyan lost to Gerald Meerschaert via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 4:12 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
What a disaster. Shahbazyan has had his fair share of struggles during the course of his UFC run, but this is the most disappointing result to date. Edmen appeared to have this fight won in Round 2. Meerschaert was on the mat in a compromising position and Shahbazyan was unloading with countless unanswered blows. Yet, Gerald managed to survive, and as we have seen in the past, Edmen's cardio betrayed him. He gave up a takedown shortly thereafter and Meerschaert quickly worked for the arm-triangle that closed the show. Shahbazyan's power is legitimate, but the rest of his game is questionable, at best. With a 2-5 record in his past seven bouts dating back to August 2020, things just simply haven't worked out in the UFC for the former top prospect.
What a disaster. Shahbazyan has had his fair share of struggles during the course of his UFC run, but this is the most disappointing result to date. Edmen appeared to have this fight won in Round 2. Meerschaert was on the mat in a compromising position and Shahbazyan was unloading with countless unanswered blows. Yet, Gerald managed to survive, and as we have seen in the past, Edmen's cardio betrayed him. He gave up a takedown shortly thereafter and Meerschaert quickly worked for the arm-triangle that closed the show. Shahbazyan's power is legitimate, but the rest of his game is questionable, at best. With a 2-5 record in his past seven bouts dating back to August 2020, things just simply haven't worked out in the UFC for the former top prospect.
Set for Vegas
Shahbazyan will fight Gerald Meerschaert in a middleweight match at UFC Vegas 96 on August 24, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Shahbazyan will look for his second win of the year after defeating AJ Dobson back in March. The American middleweight sports a 6-4 UFC record, though he's 2-3 in his last five fights which means a loss to Meerschaert could raise concerns towards his booking attractiveness in the future.
Shahbazyan will look for his second win of the year after defeating AJ Dobson back in March. The American middleweight sports a 6-4 UFC record, though he's 2-3 in his last five fights which means a loss to Meerschaert could raise concerns towards his booking attractiveness in the future.